Seeds take the court in the California desert
The women’s draw at Indian Wells sprang to life on Friday night. The top seeds kicked off their campaigns in the California desert and it was a mixed bag.
Some did exactly what was expected — solid, unfazed, professional. Emma Raducanu and Victoria Mboko fall into that camp. Others left earlier than anyone wanted. Ekaterina Alexandrova was the first seed to bite the dust in this 2026 California Masters 1000.
A night of extremes — exactly the sort of tournament where upsets turn up fast.
Victoria Mboko grinds out the win
Victoria Mboko is still riding the wave that shoved her into the world top 10 after that Doha final last month.
Against Australia’s Kimberly Birrell the 19-year-old Canadian had to earn it. She went a break down in each set but kept her head, chipped away, and struck when it mattered to close it out 6-4, 7-6(5).
Getting the job done ✅
Victoria Mboko secures the win against Birrell 6-4, 7-6(5)!#TennisParadise pic.twitter.com/ZbBCz0qPPA
— wta (@WTA) March 6, 2026
It tells you a lot about her maturity. She didn’t blow opponents off the court but she didn’t freak out either. Stayed steady when the match tightened.
And yes — it’s her first-ever win at Indian Wells. Small milestone, big confidence boost.
Next up she’ll face the winner of Anna Kalinskaya vs Zeynep Sönmez.
Raducanu cruises, no drama
On Stadium 3 Emma Raducanu served up a tidy, no-fuss performance.
The Brit — 2021 US Open champion and the tournament’s 25th seed — never gave Anastasia Zakharova a sniff. Just over an hour and it was 6-1, 6-3, Raducanu controlling rallies from the back of the court.
Perfect start in paradise ☀️@EmmaRaducanu defeats Zakharova 6-1, 6-3!#TennisParadise pic.twitter.com/CJ8D3X8w2z
— wta (@WTA) March 6, 2026
A welcome result for the former Flushing Meadows sensation, who had hit a rough patch. She hadn’t won a match since Cluj in early February.
This puts Raducanu back on the right track at a tournament that rewards players who can spin together a few solid performances.
She could meet Amanda Anisimova next, if Anisimova gets past Anna Blinkova.
Alexandrova tumbles, bad run continues
The first real shock of the women’s draw was Ekaterina Alexandrova’s surprisingly early exit.
No.11 in the world, Alexandrova has been shaky — three straight losses since slipping in the Abu Dhabi final — and she came here hoping to right the ship.
It didn’t happen.
Against qualifier Talia Gibson the Russian wilted at the crucial moments and went down 7-5, 6-3. That defeat cements a worrying run and makes her the first seed out of the tournament.
Indian Wells wasted no time reminding everyone of its one rule: the draw can flip in a heartbeat.
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